Chipping Campden in the Gloucestershire North Cotswolds

Chipping Campden - Then and Now

Campden was one of the most important of the Cotswold Wool Towns, it had many of England's richest merchants living here, notably one William Grevel known as "the flower of all England's wool merchants".

Whilst the Campden Trust was originally set up to oversee the protection of Campden's qualities, the baton was passed to The Campden Society in 1970 to :-
'secure the protection of the architectural and historic quality of Campden, its open spaces and its natural setting. Promote high standards of planning, architecture and landscaping, and stimulate interest in and concern for its character and beauty'.

Today, Chipping Campden is a popular tourist destination for visitors to the Cotswolds who come to see its fine High Street, lined with honey-coloured limestone buildings, built from locally quarried Cotswold stone. In the centre of the main street running through Chipping Campden stands the Market Hall with its splendid arches, built in 1627.

Map of Chipping Campden

Distance from Chipping Campden to villages, towns and cities

Distance from Chipping Campden to:	Miles	Km
Broadway	6	10
Moreton-in-Marsh	8	13
Stow-on-the-Wold	10	16
Bourton-on-the-Water	14	22
Winchcombe	15	24
Chipping Norton	17	27
Northleach	19	30
Burford	20	32
Cheltenham	24	38
Bibury	26	42
Witney	28	45
Lechlade-on-Thames	28	45
Fairford	28	45
Woodstock	29	46
Cirencester	30	48
Gloucester	32	51
Stroud	34	54
Tetbury	40	64
Oxford	40	64
Malmesbury	42	67
Nailsworth	43	69
Castle Combe	53	85
Wotton-under-Edge	55	88
London	99	158

Please note: Distances are approximate, and measured using a common route between the two locations by road.

The Cotswold Olimpiks

You may not think of Chipping Campden when you think of the Olympics, but since 1610 the town has been home to a championship of rural games, which is now known as Robert Dover's Cotswold Olimpick Games. (That's not a spelling mistake - Olimpick rather than Olympic).

The event is held every summer on Dover's Hill, near Chipping Campden (which has fantastic views over the surrounding countryside). One of the events in the Cotswold Olimpick which has yet to find its way into the more famous Olympic Games is shin-kicking!

The end of the Olimpick (Chipping Campden style) is marked by a huge bonfire and firework display, usually followed by a torch-lit procession back into Chipping Campden and Morris dancing in the square.

Chipping Campden page last updated 2 February 2024. Spotted a mistake? Please let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Chipping Campden

The the award winning Cotswold House Hotel & Spa is a charming, Grade II listed Regency town house, located on Upper High Street in Chipping Campden.

The Hotel is home to a tranquil spa, relaxed bistro and the beautiful Fig Restaurant.

Permalink: Where is Cotswold House Hotel?

The Cotswold Way National Trail is 102 miles (164 km) long and runs from Chipping Campden in the north to the World Heritage City of Bath in the south

The route passes through many picturesque villages and close to a significant number of historic sites, including the Roman heritage at Bath, the Neolithic burial chamber at Belas Knap, Sudeley Castle near Winchcombe, Hailes Abbey and many beautiful churches and historic houses.

Permalink: How long is the Cotswold Way?

Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire is a town.

Permalink: Is Chipping Campden a town or a village?

The World Shinkicking Championships are part of the Cotswold Olimpicks held at Dover's Hill, Chipping Campden which look set to return next year thanks to funding from Gloucestershire County Council.

The unusual sport is just one feature of the Cotswold Olimpicks which will return in 2022 thanks to a £5000 grant through the Build Back Better Market Towns fund, a £500,000 pot of money set aside by the Council.

You may notice the spelling of "Olimpicks" - this is not a spelling mistake!

These historic games were first held almost 3 centuries before the modern Olympic Games, which began in 1896.

Permalink: Where are the World Shinkicking Championships held?

Chipping Campden is a very popular location for people holidaying in the Cotswolds.

Link: Holiday cottages in Chipping Campden

Permalink: Are there any holiday cottages in Chipping Campden?

Chipping Campden is in the English county of Gloucestershire.

Permalink: What county is Chipping Campden in?